Days for the eternities...Mesa Week 41

Hey! Another week flew by already! I loved this last week and everything that happened! As far as the new area goes I really like it! We don't have too much work going on but we have a blast. I absolutely love being in car because Elder Nuttal doesn't like to drive so I get to do all the driving. I forgot how much I missed it 😆The members in this area are really great to us. For the most part we meet with members and help them with their missionary work. I'm still trying to meet as much of them as I can before Elder Nuttal goes home.

On Tuesday I went on exchanges with my district leader Elder Empey. He is a pretty cool dude, we actually came out together. We visited some people in his area in the morning and then went to do some service for a food bank called Manna. It is run by a Christian church group and they love us missionaries so its pretty awesome. We slip some gospel
talk into it whenever we can 😊 After dinner that night we had the opportunity to give a member a blessing. He was getting back surgery in a few days and was feeing super stressed out about it, even to the point of being really sick. We left there to Elder Empeys ward mission leaders home for a meeting. The work in their area is a little more fruitful than ours but they are having a tough time too. We then visited some people in the ward and even one of their former investigators who is now an investigator again! It was great, plus he
was watching the Warriors and Spurs game so I heard some of the game. Tender mercies are a real thing 😂

We had zone conference on Wednesday and it was a real eye opener for me. There were a lot of things discussed. One of the things talked about was the topic of living up to our potential. Sister Townsend gave a bomb training on it. She is seriously the best! She said we who are in the mission field right now have already accomplished the biggest part of our missions. That big part is being worthy and prepared to come on a mission. That means living worthily, exercising
our faith, and preparing ourselves to proclaim the restored gospel for the Lord. For some missionaries that is enough for them. They don't live up to the potential that God knows they have. They go home and go back to being the same person that they were before their mission. They don't live up to their potential. I'm not going to let that happen to me, I don't want to go home and be the same person. I mean my personality will probably still be the same. I will
still love sports and cars and all of that, but I want to be changed in Christ. I want to say that I lived up to my potential on my mission and was changed by it. That's one thing that I took from this week, I want to make sure I live up to it.

I finally got to go to my first district meeting in this area! My
district is pretty chill but two of the missionaries in it are going home at the end of this transfer. So change is definitely going to be happening in the next 4 weeks. The weather this last week was super super nice so we decided to bike some of our area and it was honestly really great! It kind of felt good to get on a bike again. The weather was perfect and Elder Nuttall was dying because he has been in a car his
whole mission except for 1 transfer😂 I found out that I had some flats before we biked so I had to buy some new bike tubes. 

That night we had dinner with Brother Bowers and he is sooo funny! This guy is a crack up! Anyways he is an super talented artist. He's sculpted and painted a lot of things for the church. He sculpted the 3 big statues of the young men who carried people across the river at Martins Cove. He's
got some great pictures of it and it's neat. He also does a lot of drawings and I don't know how we came to this question but he asked us "Now is your chance to ask me any question have at it" . So I asked him "have you ever drawn missionaries before?" Haha I was kind of joking but he got up and got his sketch book and drew little pictures of us😂 They are the best! haha...Elder Nuttall loves them so much. They are one of a kind👍

This weekend was really special because I was able to go to the baptisms of a family I taught in my first area, the Venegas fam! It was so great to see all the people from Salt River ward again! I seriously love that ward so much. It was definitely one of the happiest moments on my mission. I've seen tremendous change in their family, the most out of anyone I've known. Now I'm looking forward to going to the temple with them in a year!😁 oh and also that night we ran into some Havalina. Not sure if that's how you spell it. They are
wild boars in the desert haha, they are actually like pretty
dangerous. Apparently they try to charge you and bite you. Luckily we were in a car so that didn't happen😂 Watch the video...

Yesterday Elder Nuttal was sick and so we weren't able to go to church. We just stayed home all day and it was okay but at the end of the night I was going crazy😂 I needed to get out! But it was kind of nice, I was able to organize all of my stuff and study things that I haven't had time to study. Oh and we live downstairs and there is a TV so we watched pretty much all of the approved missionary films😂 It was great to rest but I'm ready to get out again!

I learned a lot about myself this week and I had a really great time! You seriously learn so much as a missionary. Thanks for the email Mom! I loved it! Your words of motivation help me a ton and it makes me even more happy to be out here! I love you so so much! Bye!

Arizona sunsets are the best

The Venegas family and my boy Elder G

The sketches that Brother Bowers drew of us in 5 minutes!

Mesa Week 40!!!

Mom Note: 

No letter this week because we were able to talk to Elder Findlay on Mothers Day!  He is doing really well in his new area and with his new companion, Elder Nuttall (whom our family in Washington knows...He's in their ward).  He is in a wealthy part of Mesa (Las Sendas) so his work is going to be a bit tougher, but he's up to the challenge.  He was all smiles and seems to be a very happy missionary.  We are so proud of him for all that he is doing as he faithfully serves our Heavenly Father.  Here are a few pics from the week and a video of his new home...

Right now we are chilling in Clyde Bawden's home. Not sure if you know who he is but he's like a crazy crazy good pianist. You should look up some of his stuff. Anyways check out his pool table! So sweet!

Here is a sampling of the kind of homes in our area...

Check out those cacti!

Elder Nuttall and Elder Findlay

Our Mothers Day chat!

This is not the house he lives in!
But here is a video of his digs...

Last Days in Mesa East- Week 39

Hello!
Such a successful week! We found a couple investigators who are actually super solid and they are doing great right now! We've had some awesome lessons with them. And yes we found out transfer news! Which I am really really excited about because I GET A CAR!!!!!!😝 Ah man I'm so excited about that. And funny enough my new companion is Elder Nuttal. Yep he is the one who lives in Grandma and Grandpa Mckinneys ward. I'm pretty sure they are talking to my pres and telling him to put me with all the people they know from home😂Haha! Anyways he is fresh out of being AP and training so he'll probably work my butt off. But that's good! Plus I'm pretty sure this is his last transfer so I will be his last comp😂.

I am still in the valley, but I will be in the Salt River Stake which is more north of our mission. My wards are Las Sendas, Thunder Mountain, and Stonebridge wards. Apparently it is one of the richest areas in our mission. That could be a good thing or a bad thing. Its tough to teach people who have everything they want and are happy where they are. I also live in a members house which will be new for me. I won't
have roommates which kind of stinks but I think it will help me focus on the work a little better. Another great thing about where I live is that I am surrounded by like 4 beautiful golf courses! One of which is Longbow, where we have been spending our p-days. Elder Nuttal is going to learn to golf😂

Today has been super chill, we went to the Tahliahni's house with our zone and their house is the one that looks like a hotel. We had breakfast there and played a bunch of games in their game room. Then we played some outdoor basketball which was pretty fun. The weather took a HUGE drop! Its been super nice. It was I think 107 on Saturday then it dropped to 66 yesterday and today it's like 74 degrees! Kind
of bi-polar weather here in AZ! We are going golfing again today and thank goodness the weather is good so we won't die of sweat😂 It's Elder Higham's B-day so we are gonna party.

So I got an email from C (one of his best friends) and he's been on his mission for about 4 months now I think. But he has a bulging disc in his back and its been giving him a lot of pain and he hasn't been able to walk and do things like that. He talked to his mission president and they decided that it would be best for him to go home and recover fully and then come back out. He's pretty bummed out about it but says that God has a plan for him and right now it is for him to go home and rest. I'm kind of having a hard time with the whole thing right now but I'll get over it. I know that it's in Gods hands right now and that it will all work out😁

And about the Anti mormon stuff (I asked him), we get it ALL the time. People literally give us typed up papers full of statements saying why Joseph Smith wasn't a prophet or why the Book of Mormon isn't true. Really we are not supposed to Bible bash because that doesn't bring anything good, so we just say have you read the BOM? Which they always say they haven't, then I just say okay read it and then we can talk. Have a great day!😂 I just feel sorry for them, they don't know what they are missing out on. The gospel is TRUE!!!

I'm super excited to talk to you guys on Sunday!

Well I love you momma! You are the best! I love hearing your testimony in your emails! Thanks for all you do to support me out here! Talk to ya on Sunday!! Love you!


ps...sorry we only take pictures on p-day most of the time, so I don't have many pics of me actually working...haha!

p-day at the hotel house

#mesaeastsavages :)

Me and my man Bro Merril

HOT HOT HOT already!

Week 38

What's good Momma! I can't believe I'm writing you again. The weeks are going by way too fast. I can't keep up with it haha. This week we had interviews with President Townsend and it was really good. I also went on exchanges with my Zone Leader Elder Campbell and we had a party. We found a ton of good investigators and are now teaching them
pretty frequently.

I can't believe I'm writing you again, seriously the weeks feel like days and the days feel like hours. Its like time doesn't even exist anymore😂 I had interviews with my mission President this last week, President Townsend, and I asked him if I was getting transferred because I have been in this area for a while. He said that it will most likely happen. So I have probably another week here and then I get to start in a new area! I'm kind of excited, I need a change of scenery. I will miss the people in this area though, I love them so so
much.

For our p-day activity we just got done golfing 18 holes at Longbow Golf Course which was super chill. It's seriously a top notch course and we get to golf for free. Free carts and holes. To play 18 holes here it's like 120 bucks. But it's owned by a member so we get to play for free :) I played pretty good. Towards the end I was hitting the ball a lot better. And Brother Kennedy lets us use his clubs, he's a super nice guy. Apparently we are like super tan and a little burnt because of it haha!

Earlier this week we met a guy on the street who turns out to be a member. He hasn't gone to church since he got home from his mission and he came on Sunday! He is a former professional MMA fighter and he has the belts to prove it. He's super jacked and you can tell he's been hit quite a but😂 he's a funny dude, he took us to get slurpees!

We also met this young lady. Her name is Terrion. She is seriously the kindest person I've met here in Mesa and we just had our first lesson with her last night. And she actually read the things we asked her to do!! That is seriously a first. She read the restoration pamphlet and loved it. She practically taught us the lesson. She is the prime example of a
golden investigator. We will be teaching her again this next week and so I know she will get baptized soon😊

All in all things are going great when it comes to the work. We are staying really busy and are seeing things pick up again. Oh and we got pizza for dinner like 5 times this week. Its pretty great😂 But with all the great food we get I think since I've been out I've only gained like 1 pound. So idk if I will come back any bigger, probably not😂

Also I loved your email about the youth conference Mom! That's super great that the ward did that! (Youth conference serving refugee families in Salt Lake) Some of the pictures looked like you guys were on a mission going door to door. That's super sweet. I love that because that will prepare the youth for their missions one day! My love for the gospel grows and grows every day. The work definitely doesn't get easier but it's rewarding at the end of the day. Its great
to see the people change and also the change in myself.

Well I hope you have a great week! 
Love, Elder Findlay

Loving p-day in the desert

Love these Arizona Sunsets

My friend Mike. He's awesome

Ma Brotha...

420 Miracles :) Mesa Week 37

Hi! So this week was fun! On Tuesday I got super sick and was throwing up all day. That was the worst ha, so I just chilled in the apartment all day with Elder Evans because we were on exchanges. Poor Elder Evans😅 There has been like a 24 hour bug going around so thank goodness I'm through with it. I tried staying at least a little productive while being inside so I decided to watch the 12 step program videos and they are the best! So so good! Most people have some form of addiction or other but even if you don't you should read over the 12 steps. If you are looking for a way to come closer to Christ do the 12 step program. I am actually doing it myself so I can know how to better help my investigators and I LOVE it! 

We had a district meeting on Wednesday and I gave a training on finding. It went pretty well, I wasn't t feeling my best but the spirit helped me out. Then we all wanted to have  a district lunch so we got Backyard Taco and ate at our place. It was a lot of fun, our district is pretty chill unlike some of the districts in our zone😂 

On Thursday I went on exchanges with Elder Austin and it was so fun! Ha that day was just a blast. We were able to go to the temple in the morning with our zone, it was a great time. Plus Elder Bland (MTC companion)  is in my zone again so we were hanging out the whole time. Afterwards we went to Wings Express to eat and they have the best food. Its kind of a tradition going there after the temple. Not the best kind of missionary food because wings are messy and always end up on clothes but I've been in the clear every time I've gone there😅 I'm sure that you knew this but 4/20 was national weed day and so that night everyone was out getting high and doing stupid things. It got us so hyped to talk with all of them haha! So we did, we talked to soooo many people and a lot of them were super high and were talking to us a lot. If people were always this nice to us life would be great, we asked them "we have something for you that will make you feel more happy and excited than anything you've ever done in your life, can we share it to you?" Most of them said yes and so we shared our message and ended up finding 6 new investigators! In one night! It was such a blessing from the Lord, we were determined to talk with everyone and find people to teach and he delivered them to us. A few of them are really solid investigators, we had the first lesson with Jaron already and he is going to read and pray about the Book of Mormon! 

Also that night since Elder Austin was here we needed to do something fun so we decided to have a movie night in Elder Higham's room. We watched finding faith in Christ and it was a party. And I finally figured out how to set up my hammock in the apartment! It's taken me 5 months but it's golden now!😎

So we went to a members house this last week and they have like a bunch of pets, specifically a python and I got to hold it😱 they made me do it, I'm not really a snake person. I like smaller snakes and stuff but this one was to big for my liking! 

Sunday was a pretty good day! It felt longer than usual though. Elder Child caught me sleeping so he took this pic with his tablet😂 I was sitting in 60th ward thinking to myself that I could be gone in a couple of weeks😭 it will be hard to leave this ward, it seems like I've been here my whole mission. Then again I am kind of excited for a change of scenery! I want to be put in Globe! Its super different than out here, there are pine trees everywhere and mountains too! I miss that stuff ha, it's like an old mining town and it looks like out of a movie or something. Plus if you go out there you are guaranteed a car......hallelujah. 

All in all this week was great! We had a lot of good things happen in our area and I am looking forward to next week! It is definitely getting a lot warmer down here, at least it's staying warm all day. I can feel the heat of summer creeping towards us😭 oh and Jack looks like a boss missionary in that pic! Can't wait to see him go out someday! Tell him I love him and think the world of him!

 I hope you have a good week in Utah!❤

Love, Elder Findlay

District lunch

Our investigators new car, she thought we would never find it.
 So we sent this to her😂

Some of the cactuses have blossoms on them,
they are pretty cool looking

They kind of forced me to hold it, snakes aren't my thing

My comp caught me sleeping in church...oops

Easter Pageant Part 2!- Week 36

What up Mom!

Yeah I did get your package and I LOVE the ties and shirt you sent! Everything was just great. It felt just like home! Thank you!!

What a week, flew by as usual! It was full of exchanges and the Easter Pageant! I just have to say that I am super bummed that it is over now. Even though I saw it 5 times I wish I could see it more! It's just so well done and you really feel the spirit when you watch and listen to it. I know it helped me a lot with my testimony of Christ. There was something a member told me a while back that has stuck with me ever since. He said that a lot of times the sacrifice and Atonement of Jesus Christ gets viewed as a story. People view it as a story all to often. He said that the atonement is not a fable. It is a real thing that happened. The Easter Pageant helped me put that into perspective, that Christ really did go through so much just for me. And for you. And for everyone. That is how REAL it is and how REAL He is.

So on Tuesday I went on exchanges with Elder Higham in his area. We had a good day! Some members took us to Five Guys for lunch and it was just as good as I remembered it. Then we made some visits and stuff and no one answered their doors. It was hot and no one wanted to talk. That's not the best feeling ever but it was made up by the Pageant that night. We went with a recent convert family and they were great. And I see that you got the text from your friend Camille! Yeah I finally met her haha! She came up to me practically screaming and said "there you are!!" Haha it kind and of freaked me out at first. I was like oh man what did I do😂 but then she explained and we had a good talk haha! She seemed pretty awesome. Then after the Pageant we got Bosa donuts which are amazing and walked home. It was a really great night.

Wednesday we went to the Easter Pageant with our investigator David. He has been having a lot of trouble committing to baptism because he is 65 years devote catholic. Its hard for him to consider the change because he's been raised so differently his whole life. As he watched
the Pageant you could see tears going down his face and he was really feeling the spirit. We have a lesson with him this next week and we will see what happens!

On Thursday I went on exchanges with Elder Quist in his area and it was super awesome! We had a really cool lesson that day actually! We taught a young man named Sang-ho. He is from Korea and is super cool. He doesn't speak very good English so we had a returned missionary from Korea help with translation and stuff like that. We taught the gospel of Jesus Christ and we had to teach it in simple simple words. When I was doing that I just felt the spirit a lot stronger. So did Sang-ho. It was really cool. He had such good questions and thoughts and experiences with the spirit. He will get
baptized I'm sure. Oh and that morning we laid grass in someone's back yard practically by ourselves. That was exhausting haha! I was tired he rest of the day😴

Friday we went to the Easter Pageant with Brother Briceno and his family. They are a part member family and his girlfriend bought us pizza and cupcakes and all the goodies you could think of. I feel super fat😂 I've had so much junk food in the last few days ha! Anyways it was pretty awesome.

Saturday night was the last night of the Pageant and we got to go and guess what? Yeah we got front row seats! It was sooooo bomb, the Tapias came with us and we had a great time. Honestly there is just one part in the whole play that get my tears going and that's when all the children are singing and playing with Jesus. Just the sweetest thing you'll see. I don't know if you can get music from the Easter
Pageant but could you see if that is even possible? I love it so much and would love to have the music for it! Thanks Momma!

I had a cool experience last p-day. I ran into a family from my first area at the mall. Carlos, the Dad, was an inactive member so me and Elder G worked with him a lot and got him coming to church. We then started to get to know his family. His wife Cherri and 3 boys, Brandon, Cody, and Anthony. When he started to come to church we began to teach Cherri and she was doing great. Really beginning to open up. They even invited us to their wedding haha, idk if you remember the
pictures😂 It was moving along. Sadly we got transferred during that:/ back to running to them in the mall Cherri told me that she, her sister, Cody, and Brandon are all getting baptized in a couple of weeks. I cannot tell how good of a feeling it is to hear that. Sooo cool!

So for Easter yesterday we had dinner with the Iurato family and they are the best. We had super bowl dinner at their houses too and it was nothing short of amazing. We had a pork roast and turkey and all sorts of stuff! They had all of their kids over with their grandkids and it seriously felt like home. It was kid chaos like our whole family! Sister Iurato shared a message with us which was nice because we normally do the message sharing. Anyways we watched the Prince of Peace video which is super inspirational, and she talked about the resurrection with all the grandkids. Good times!

Well I hope you have a week full of happiness! Thank you for your love and prayers! I love you! 

Me and my boy Elder Higham

Zone Swag

Stage view at the pageant

District pic

My mom's BYU roommate Camille found me at the pageant!